Fall Newsletter | 2018

The camp has evolved and changed over the years. Once

a three-day camp for kids across our service area to come

together, the camp later split to two camps, one in Central

Kentucky and one in Southeastern Kentucky. Shortened

to one-day events in recent years, this fall the Central

Kentucky camp expanded back to an overnight camp.

Camp Hope Central Kentucky relocated to the Life

Adventure Center in 2017 due to the wonderful options

for activities for the children. Campers work with social

workers, bereavement counselors, other clinical team

members and volunteers throughout the weekend

in groups, mixing emotionally healing activities with

adventurous physical challenges meant to equip the

kids with confidence to face the tough challenges grief

presents.

“The most meaningful

part of Camp Hope to

me is seeing children

of all ages connecting

with their peers,”

said Kristen Hamilton,

Lexington bereavement

counselor. “So many

times grieving children

feel alone because they

do not feel that others

have experienced the

death of a loved one.

Camp Hope allows

children to connect

with others who have experienced the death of a loved

one and continue these connections outside of the

Camp Hope weekend.”

Helping Children When They Need It Most

Bluegrass Care Navigators provides many much-needed services

to our community. One of the things folks are most surprised to

learn about is the robust grief activities offered to the communities

we serve. From one-on-one counseling sessions for someone who

has experienced the death of a close loved one to support groups and

memory workshops, our events are designed to serve families who have

utilized Hospice services and community members dealing with grief,

no matter how the loss occurred.

Nearly 25 years ago, Sherri

Weisenfluh, head of bereavement

services for the agency, and her team

had the idea to establish a grief camp

for children struggling with the death

of a loved one. Sherri partnered with

the agency’s philanthropy staff to

secure grant funding and the vision

became a reality with the first camp,

then called Camp Echo, in 1995.

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2018 Howlin’ Halloween Bash October 27 | 8 PM Join us for the 2018 Howlin’ Halloween Bash at Hazard

Community and Technical College’s First Federal Center. This event,

a fun annual tradition featuring a costume contest, dancing, silent

auction and more, is presented by Laura Feltner at State Farm

Insurance. Come out and join us for dinner, dancing, a costume contest,

and more! Proceeds to benefit the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Care

Center. You must be 21 years old to enter. Costumes are optional but

are encouraged. For more information, call 606.439.2111.

Art Donation Enriching LivesMany thanks to Jeff Rogers for his generous donation of art for our new inpatient

hospice care center

at the University

of Kentucky and

his additional

donation of art that

will be used when

we renovate the

inpatient unit at St. Joseph Hospital. Art not only beautifies our unit but

also provides soothing, anxiety-reducing relaxation for our patients and

their families. We are truly thankful for Jeff’s generosity. If you would

like more information on how to support our inpatient units through

music therapy, art or supply donations, contact Mandy Brajuha at

mbrajuha@bgcarenav.org. Or if you would like to see more of Jeff’s

amazing images of our beautiful state and photos from his world travels,

visit jeffrogers.com.

Howlin’ halloween

Camp Hope Eastern Kentucky takes place in late September

each year at Four Star Village in Redfox. Children and their

loved ones spend the day working together and spending time

apart engaged in music therapy, art therapy and more. The

highlight of the camp is a chance to go fishing at the end of

the day, truly embracing the gorgeous surroundings the venue

provides.

Bereavement camps are

made possible through

generous donations

and grant funding. Over

the years, funders have

included The Daniel

Pitino Foundation,

The Tubby Smith

Foundation, the United

Way of Southeastern

Kentucky, Kentucky

River Coal Corporation,

Walmart, The Spaulding

Foundation, the Junior

League of Lexington,

Children’s Charities of

the Bluegrass, Lynagh’s

Shamrock Bar and Grille

and many, many more.

If you would like

to support our

bereavement camps,

visit www.give.

bgcarenav.org or you

can send your tax-

deductible gift in the

enclosed envelope.

If you would like

more information

on the camps, call

855.492.0812.

Everyone knows when you hit a milestone birthday, you should celebrate. That’s

just what we had in mind for the July 22 Lexington

Legends game against the West Virginia Power to

celebrate our 40 years of service. However, Mother

Nature had other plans. We waited through several

delays only to have the game canceled, but we still

managed to have some fun. CEO Liz Fowler and Pet

Therapy volunteers Marjorie Stanek and Webly threw

out ceremonial first pitches and everyone enjoyed our

giveaway sunglasses — even Grendel, another one of

our amazing therapy dogs.

We were glad so many of our supporters braved the

conditions to join us and celebrate. That is always a

home run!

Celebrating 40 Years of Expert. Connected. Care.

Surviving the Holidays After a LossBe kind and gentle to yourself this holiday season. After the death of a loved one,

it’s important to acknowledge that the holidays will be different, and they will be tough. Decide

which traditions you want to keep, which ones you want to change and even create a new tradition

in the memory of your loved one. Here are some ideas for creating a new tradition:

• Light a special candle — not only as a memory of the loss, but also in

celebration of a life and the love shared.

• Put out a memory stocking, memory box or other special item where you and others can write down memories you treasure. Pick a time to read them together.

• Buy a gift for your loved one. Give it away to someone who may not otherwise receive a gift. What we miss is the giving of our love to that person. When you share love, it grows.

• Make a donation to a charity that was important to your loved one in their name.

• Make a memorial ornament, wreath, or other decoration in honor of your loved one.

Be aware that heartaches will be unpacked as you sift through your holiday decorations but also warm, loving memories

of each piece. Don’t deny yourself the gift of healing tears. It’s also important to take care of yourself physically. Eat right,

get enough sleep and exercise. Remember not to worry about all that you “should” do but focus on what you “can” do this

holiday season. Be patient with yourself and forgiving. Simply do what you can this season and let it be enough.

If you are struggling with grief, we can help. Call 855.492.0412 or visit bgcarenav.org to learn more about support

groups and bereavement services.

bgcarenav.org/40voices

Tell Us Your Hospice Story

©2018 Bluegrass Care Navigators | Bluegrass Care Navigators complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

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Care That’s Right for You or Your Loved One.Bluegrass Extra Care Bluegrass Home Primary CareBluegrass Adult Day Health CareBluegrass Transitional Care Bluegrass Palliative CareBluegrass Hospice Care Bluegrass Grief Care

27 Howlin’ Halloween Bash – Hazard 8 p.m.–midnight. Hazard Community and Technical College. Featuring dinner, dancing, costume contest and more. Proceeds benefit the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center. Must be 21 to enter. For more info, call 606.439.2111.

1–30 National Hospice and Palliative Care Month Visit www.nhpco.org to learn more about how you can support the work we do.

1 & 19 Compassionate Friends – Frankfort First Thursday and third Monday of the month, 6:30–7:30 p.m. A support group for parents, siblings, and grandparents that have experienced the death of a child. 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, KY. Contact Karen Cantrell at 502.320.6438 for more info.

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

5 Holiday Hope – Lexington 7 p.m. Program including music, speaker and candle lighting ceremony. Celebration Center of Lexington, 1509 Trent Boulevard. Contact 859.272.3414 to register.

8 Conversations that Matter – Burlington 5:30–7 p.m. Join an expert panel to talk about your wishes for your care at end of life. Dinner provided for those registered by Nov. 2. 1824 Patrick Drive Burlington, KY. Register by calling 859.486.7390 or email sengelhardt@bgcarenav.org.

12 Spouse Loss Group – Northern Kentucky Mondays, Nov. 12–Dec. 17, 6–7:30 p.m. A six-week support group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse/partner. This is an opportunity to share your experiences with others, talk about your loss. Learn ways of coping with grief and loss, in a caring and supportive environment. Florence Senior Center, 7431 US 42. Register by calling 859.441.6332 or email nkremer@bgcarenav.org.

12 & 19 Grief & The Holidays – Lexington 4:30–6 p.m. This two-part workshop will provide adult participants the opportunity to address their concerns about the upcoming holidays without their loved one. Sessions will be a combination of grief education and supportive sharing. This group is limited to 15 participants; registration required. Contact the Lexington office at 859.277.2700 for more info or to have your name added to a wait list.

15 Grief Support Group – Cynthiana Third Thursday of each month, 6–7:30 p.m. Scott County Public Library. Contact Mary McKenzie: 859.234.6462.

www.bgcarenav.org | 855.492.0812 2312 Alexandria Drive | Lexington, KY 40504

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